Water firms 'deaf to crisis' warn MPs

THE water sector is in need of "root-and-branch reform", a committee of MPs has said as it called for "much more regulated management" of bonuses for senior bosses.

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The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has said that the industry is "failing", but that water companies are "deaf to the crisis" that it is facing.

In their report, Priorities For Water Sector Reform released today, the MPs argue that the Government "should feel able to use its temporary nationalisation powers" when needed.

They also said the system should "ensure that more money gained from investors and through customer bills is directed towards investment in water infrastructure and service delivery" and less towards debt repayment or financial rewards for executives.